Okay its official. Eric and I are insane. Once in a while we go to the pet store in the mall in order to get some ear wipes or such and to make sure they remember that there are those of us who dont like pets being in a store like so much merchandise and therefore will make the store owner's life miserable if the pets arent at the very least properly cared for. So I'm a tad fanatical...sue me. I also stand there drooling at the snakes. Of course with Easter so near they had bunnies so off went Eric to look at them. He called me over to see a dark grey one and how it seemed to actually have been properly socialized as it was approaching us instead of being reached for. On top of the rabbit cage (yes theyre even stacked like so much merchandise..grrr) was another cage in which a cute baby ferret rested until she became curious about us. As she tried to nibble our fingers another suddenly popped up from the mound of shredded paper. Within 30 seconds it was clear that this one was stone blind and ill. Instant anger on my part. With a reminder to myself to remain calm I stormed over to the employee (the reminder didnt quite work...). After a deep breath to try once again to calm myself I asked him how much for the ferrets. Oh just 189.99 maam! Even the sick one? Oh we dont carry sick ones as we believe in quality! How about the blind one? ....blind one? Yeah the blind one that's over there sneezing and coughing and wheezing and scared and miserable! ....oh. Now would you care to step over here and actually bother to LOOK at him? Or would you rather I called the Humane Society right now? And yes I know all your customers can hear me as that's my intention! ....oh. Anyway he finally shut his mouth and went to look at the ferret. Upon examination (if you call picking it up and looking at the top of its head an examination...) he admitted I was right and admitted that theyd usually have the ferret put down but maybe he could work out a deal for me. I informed him the only 'deal' I'd be taking was the ferret WITH free cage, bedding, and food or else. He called the store owner who surprised me by agreeing quite quickly. Now call me a deceptive witch but you will note I never once said I WOULDNT call the Humane Society at all. Wasn't 5 feet from the store door before I had the phone to my ear. Poor Eric never got a word in edgewise but fortunately he was in complete agreement with me. We've now had Requin (we changed Faleen's middle name to Remora so we could properly name the carpet shark) for almost 2 weeks. He has been to the vet twice. The bad news is that he IS blind and had a severe sinus infection and had been starving. The good news is that he is extremely well-adapted to his blindness, the amoxycillin worked wonders for the infection, and he's eating quite well for us now. He is a very happy little guy (though maybe not so little..he's almost a whole pound already and was only a quarter of a pound when we got him) and may become a ferret ambassador later if he's up to it. The Humane Society asked me if I would be willing to let someone come take more pictures and video of him so they can use his story as a lesson to others as well as evidence against the store and the ferret farm he came from. To be honest I'm surprised they're taking such a quick interest but I'm glad. I think it's about time. Ive been trying to get a short video of him uploaded but so far Photobucket is being a pain. As for still photos...now that he's feeling so much better the only time he's still is when he's asleep! I'm sure I couldve handled the situation better somehow but at least he's happy, safe, and well on the road to recovery. I know it's usually best for ferrets to have a companion and Requin seems to be the same so I'm going to look into ferret rescues and see what happens. Just because he can't see who's loves him doesn't mean he doesn't deserve every bit of that love. Insane. That's me.
Requin Piccies!
Finally! I got him to be still for 1/2 a second! It's amazing just how different he is in so little time. He is now a very healthy weight and we have suspicions he can see at least blurs of things. Wonder if it's possible the lack of food and water when he was at the ferret farm and pet store could have affected his eyesight? We know for a fact he couldn't see anything at all when we first brought him home but the other day he went after a bottle with a bright yellow cap on it. We weren't moving it and hadn't even thought about giving that to him but after seeing him reaching for it we put it in his playpen. Other than us and balled up newspaper it's his favorite toy. The other difference in him is his fur color. When we first got him he looked almost like mahogany with golden tan mask on his face. Now, his fur has darkened to make him a common black sable. I liked the mahogany look on him but somehow the sable just looks healthier on him. Cheese, the tomcat Eric brought all the way from California, has adopted Requin as his new best friend and it's hilarious to watch them play. Especially when Cheese is trying to protect the ferret from the dogs who are trying to protect the ferret from the cats! To put it simply...Requin is spoiled. Thoroughly and quite happily by everyone. Except the rabbit. Ouzo hates him. Guess you can't win them all. Anyway I hope you enjoy the pictures!
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x204/ladydarkpoet/Image014-3.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x204/ladydarkpoet/Image016-2.jpg
Update
Just a quick update on Requin. We attempted to give him some free time by way of a "rodent roller" ball. He made it very clear he wouldn't be going back into one of those any time soon. Just thought with his blindness itd be a good idea due to the other critters and didnt want him squeezing under a table and scaring himself. Nope. He was not appreciative in any way shape or form because Mom forgot that it would impeed with his sniffer and thus he wouldnt be able to find Mom or Dad. He threw one heck of a screaming temper tantrum! So in about 15 minutes we're heading off to get him a play pen. Can you believe we've already spent almost $1000 on him?! So glad we had some money saved up lol. Other than the roller we also tried giving him ferret sized tennis balls and he adores them. It's like 3 hours of non-stop ball play. He's a very vocal guy too. It's almost as if he tries to talk to us just as much as we talk to him. His favorite past time is just playing with Eric and I. Batting at our fingers (due to this we're beginning to think maybe the vets and I were wrong and he can see -something- at least) and running round our ankles. Basically he just loves being close to us. The whole time he grunts and squeaks and calls. I have to admit I'm surprised at how thoroughly enthralled we are with him. What a beautiful character he is though! We're definitely looking for a companion too!
Chinchis and Ferrets and the Like
Most chinchillas aren't socialized at all for the very reason that they just aren't good pets. They are untamed and despite what the breeders and pet stores say they are undomesticated. The most well behaved will statistically still draw your blood several times throughout its lifetime. Not the chinchi's fault. I blame whoever thought it'd be a good idea to stuff them in a cage to begin with. I have never owned one and unless something like the case of Requin comes along never will. I have known several chinchi owners though and they've all said the same thing. If they'd known they never would have bought it. The same goes for sugargliders. As for ferrets my sister has had ferrets for almost 15 years so I at least had some experience with having petsat for her and just helped out in general with them. They aren't for everyone though. Not by a longshot. They have a slight musky smell even when descented that turns a lot of people off though I must say I don't find it strong at all and it's almost pleasant to me. They also have to be continually reminded that biting is a no no and they require up to 4 hours of continuous exercise at a time. Add to that the vet bills for an exotic that does have some very debillitating illnesses and their short lifespans and you get a very challenging pet. On the other hand they DO make you laugh at least hourly! As for allergies there ARE some allergies that get better as you get older or so I've heard but I've only seen people get worse when it comes to pet allergies. However there are medications to help! To anyone thinking about a ferret though...please rescue. Like cats and dogs and horses these poor guys get dumped and there are so many more out there than there are homes for. If you'd like I've done some research for Texas ferret rescues and can give you some names. I also recommend the book Ferrets For Dummies. Buy it BEFORE you get the ferret! May save you from a goodhearted but terrible mistake or may help you have a wonderful life with a new friend. I just realized I sound like a spokesperson. Sorry! I'd love to have a job like that though. Anyway, I will try to get pictures asap! We have two home vids of him now but so far Photobucket still hates me. Still pictures are on their way! Thanks to everyone for your support. I love you guys!
How brave of you! And what
How brave of you! And what terrific negotiating skills you have. So glad to hear the ferret is feeling so much better. We saw some rabbits yesterday in Feeder Supply (Louisville's chain similar to PetSmart). My kids and I were looking at this beautiful Chinchilla, when it leaped from its perch straight towards us and bounced off the front of the cage. We didn't have our hands up or anything. He was just looking at our faces. I wondered if he was either very friendly and wanted to play, or wasn't socialized at all and was trying to eat us.
Today on Oprah, she's doing a special on puppy mills. I hope it helps.
Way to Go
That was such a caring and brave thing to do! I too, run from pet stores that sell pets. I would have a housefull of animals and no husband!!!
Kuddos BIG time!
For taking a stand and doing something about it! If I had an Eric as a husband, my house would be a zoo. I am the weakest person when I see an animal in need... I really hope the HS has the opportunity to make some noise out of the situation & give the manager a kick in the pants for being so neglectful!
And yes, a pic please........ Even if it is a sleeping one. :-)
Cristina
Jack & Sydney's mum
AWESOME
That is soo cool of you! Your story is definatly inspiring to us "Crazy Rescue" people! I worked at Town East Mall where they do have a pet store in there, but I would purposly stay away from that side of the mall because, I know I would leave with one of those poor baby...but YOU did the right thing! I hope you can post a picture of your new baby. I had a ferret growing up, and I LOVED it, however when I started getting really sick and my dad was taking me to doctors... the doctor told my dad that I was having an allergic reaction to the ferret. I did get to give Bandit to my best friend, so It made me feel better losing him. I wonder if you outgrow those allergies?? Anyways, you ROCK!
What a Wonderful Thing!!!
I just wanted to say you did a WONDERFUL thing!!!!
Jana
Addie & Argos' human
yikes
that totally sounds like something I would do.. but I have a thing about small animals...rodents! I prob would have taken the poor thing and then tried to find someone else to care for it....
how wonderful
my daughter had ferrets for YEARS..they were so much fun. But you did the right thing, and yes they do much better with a buddie...don't know much about ferret rescue but maybe someone else on the boards can help you. Again, thanks for helping that guy....that was awesome
Judy, Scooby, and Daphne
Bravo
I applaud you for standing up to them. We have a lovely petstore in Plano called Plano Pets that carries puppies and I can't bring myself to go in there. I know, it sucks, but I just can't do it. Thank you for saving this sweet baby!!!
Sara (Bubba Chad's and Shammy's mom)
Ferrets
There is a wonderful woman in the DFW are that does Ferret Rescue.
I am going to send you her email address. She knows all about them and
can probably give you some tips from her experience.
Susan
Meet & Greet Coordinator
Great!
Thatd be great! I'll send her a note and see what she has to say. We had laughter and love in the house pre-Requin but now there's even more. It's strange though because a few people have actually asked me 'why' I love him and all I can do is smile, try to hold back the gushy-mushy tears and say "I just do. How could I not?" I think my heart's going to explode if I get too much mushier over the critter children lol Anyway, thank you all for the support!